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options/ tips on using Golden Pass Scenic train

Posted by on

Hi,
We will be situated in Lauternbrunnen for 8 days first to second week of July. We will be making day-trips, mostly for hiking purposes to see different vistas Bernese Oberland offers. When possible, we also want to utilize scenic train rides, such as Golden Pass, to go from point to point. What we don't want to do, however, is just ride the train for the sake of riding, i.e., if we can use a scenic train to go from Lauterbrunnen to our day trip destination then fine, otherwise we are okay skipping scenic trains (we spent a whole day on a scenic train trip in NZ and were immensely bored on the way back).

Questions and options I'd appreciate thoughts on:

  • we have a flight from Geneva Airport around 2 pm to catch on our last day in Switzerland. Is a trip from Lauterbrunnen to GVA via Zweissimmen and Montreux, such that we can include Golden Pass route from Interlaken to Zwessimmen to Montreux and reach GVA by 12:30 pm impractical? We can rise as early as needed.
  • If impractical, can we do a loop as part of one of our day trips wherein we go from Lauterbrunnen to Montreux (via Zweissimmen), then to Gruyeres or Bern (spend a few hours at either of these places, both probably is impractical), then take the train from Bern back to Lauterbrunnen?
  • Other day trips you can suggest from Lauterbrunnen, particularly if we can avail of scenic trains other than Golden Pass?
  • Do we need to make reservations on scenic trains in advance or can we play it by ear and plan trips while we are there?
  • Best seats to ask for in order to get the best, most unobstructed view from the train?

We will have Swiss Travel Passes for two adults, and free family card for our two kids.

I'm having a particularly difficult time figuring how to loop in scenic trains rides as part of our daily planning in Bernese Oberland. Insights, suggestions greatly appreciated. Thanks!

RJ

Posted by
21139 posts

You can check schedules at www.sbb.ch. I can see departures at 6:33, and 7:03 that will get you to the airport before 12:30. Click on "advanced search" and enter Zweisimminen and Montreux in successive "via" boxes.
Other scenic day trips would be to Luzern or just before there and go to My Pilatus. Another would be to Kandersteg. Don't know specifics about hiking routes in these places, but I'm sure there are plenty.
If you take the 6:33 departure to GVA, the section from Zweisimminen to Montreux is the actual Golden Pass train with panorama coaches and is noted "Reservation recommended" and "Reservation compulsory for groups". I don't know if the four of you are considered a group or not.

Posted by
16895 posts

You can play reservations by ear. For your party, reservations would only be required if you wanted the panorama coach between Zweisimmen and Montreux. A group is 10 or more people, in my general experience with train tickets. All of your day trips around both sides of the Lauterbrunnen valley will be scenic, as well as if you head to Luzern, that's also a scenic leg that's marketed as part of the Golden Pass route.

Posted by
3 posts

Thank you for your thoughts. The link to the sbb site is really helpful. The timetables are pretty clear, although tight.

Is it practical for a family of four with luggage to switch trains in as few as 3 min in some cases? We could send part of our luggage ahead of our departure date so that will help. But still to find the right platform and train in a few min, how do people do it.

Posted by
3 posts

Thank you for your thoughts. The link to the sbb site is really helpful. The timetables are pretty clear, although tight.

Is it practical for a family of four with luggage to switch trains in as few as 3 min in some cases? We could send part of our luggage ahead of our departure date so that will help. But still to find the right platform and train in a few min, how do people do it.

Posted by
7209 posts

how to do 3 minute changes:

1) get up from your train seat and move to the exit door (along with your luggage) well before the train comes to a stop
2) know your train number, carriage number of your next train
3) get off the train with your luggage and walk as quickly as possible to to toward the station to so you can read the departure boards listing your train and track number
4) GO GO GO to that track
5) If you're still on the loading platform looking for your specific carriage and the conductor blows the whistle to signal the departure then just hop on the nearest carriage and navigate to your correct carriage through the aisles - not an ideal situation but better than missing your reserved train.

If you don't have reserved seats on a specific train then just wait for the next train if needed.

Ship your luggage ahead of you if possible

Posted by
21139 posts

Couple of points. Most of your connections are designed that way.
At Interlaken Ost, the train from Lauterbrunnen ends there, and the train to Spiez starts there. Most of the people on the train from Lauterbrunnen will be making the same change.
At Spiez, both the arriving train and connecting train are on the same track (#2). So the train you are arriving on has to let people off, then exit the station, then the connecting train will pull onto the track and load. You will be standing there already.
At Zweisimminen, the tracks are on opposite sides of the same platform. 98% of the people on the arriving train will board the other. One train ends, and the other begins because they are different rail gauges (same situation at Interlaken Ost).
At Montreux you will need to move, but again, the arriving train ends there. Just remember, if you miss it, there will be another train in 30 minutes going to the same place. So if you have some slack your schedule, you will still be OK.

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